2020 MLB Trade Deadline News & Speculation

[andyb]

Matt Winkelman did tweet that the David Hale deal now looks pretty dumb. Gave up a prospect for a guy DFA'd 7 times who we never used in a key situation anyway since we did the Boston deal. Hale is probably safe from DFA for now, but odds are probably 50-50 that happens before the end of the year.

[julio]

I heard it was Bohm, Howard, and Stott.

"Many people are saying..." ?

[Squire]

Phelps has a team option at 4.5million for 2021

[zambonir]

Yeah it kind of does but at the time they must not have realized they'd be able to to do the Sox deal so quickly. Maybe Hale is better than McClain or Parker, maybe not. Obviously not so far. I wouldn't hold yesterday against him since he hadn't pitched in 19 days.

[andyb]

We'll need 2 40-man spots for Phelps and Suarez (again from Matt Winkelman). Makes a Neil Walker move for Bruce more likely. Plus one more pitcher.

[zambonir]

Oh yeah, forgot Suarez doesn't count for COVID. I'd assume McLain and Hale rather than sacrificing another youngster. Then hope one or both clears. Can you still trade guys who have been DFAed after the trade deadline?

Garlick still feels expendable to me, but then they'd literally have no depth bats on the 40 except for Grullion.

[andyb]

Reds get Archie Bradley. Assume he cost a lot more than Phelps did.

[andyb]

Garlick still feels expendable to me

Probably depends a bit on how healthy Bruce is. If he is fine to play the field, he would play LF for Cutch in the event of an injury. I guess Garlick is expendable because you could always put an OF glove on Bohm too.

This really makes it noticeable that the 40-man roster should have been expanded to 42 or 43 when the MLB roster increased. With a few players on the IL, it is really tough to maneuver and marginal players get forced to go through DFA periods which probably is not helping them get back to the big leagues.

[Squire]

Got 2 OFs, Josh Vanmeter and #11 prospect Stuart Fairchild for Archie Bradley

[andyb]

That might mean they wanted Moniak or Haseley from us.

[zambonir]

I think he's very expendable to the MLB team, but if you have an injury then you are suddenly scrambling to add Mahtook, or bring Walker back.

I think the 40-man crunch is unique to the COVID stuff. Teams needed way more pitching, there's more doubleheaders, they added the DH and teams are trying to cram more players who are close to the majors onto the 40. If you're Neil Walker right now a DFA does probably get you back to the big leagues, and it did for Hale too. Would probably be a better opportunity for Garlick as well. The real losers are guys like Gamboa and De Los Santos.

The Phillies also kind of spoiled themselves by not carrying three catchers these past few years. And this was a unique year because they didn't want to break camp with Howard and Bohm. In a normal season the roster space would have worked itself out more easily over four months of baseball.

What's amazing/lucky is we haven't had anyone go on the 45-man IL.

[andyb]

What's amazing/lucky is we haven't had anyone go on the 45-man IL.

Other than David Robertson of course. Who BTW is officially done for the year. Nobody new and I guess that is lucky. I kind of think they should have started Arano there since they are not activating him because his stuff is not back to what it was pre-injury. In normal times they would have put him on the IL, sent him to extended Spring, and then given him a full minor league rehab run. It does not look like he will help the team at all this year but is young enough that they probably want to keep him for next year (he was optioned back in July).

[julio]

What's amazing/lucky is we haven't had anyone go on the 45-man IL.

Other than David Robertson of course.

And Seranthony Dominguez.

[julio]

Deivy Grullon and Reggie McClain have been DFA'ed.

Phillies have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/nRgxtk12fj

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) August 31, 2020

[andyb]

Grullon seems a short sighted move. Got to think it is better than 50-50 he gets claimed and that now means Marchan is the 3rd catcher.

[zambonir]

A surprise! But it seemed clear they never really rated him.

And I guess you don't have to be on the 40 to be on the taxi squad (the actual taxi squad). If you are needed to replace a COVID guy you can be called up, and then sent down without being subject to waivers.

A subject for another thread now I guess but Kingery finally gets the rest everyone wanted for him, wonder if it's a real issue or they just don't want to expose Walker yet.

We have not had anyone go on the 45-man in-season, is what I mean. Technically neither of those guys were even injured this year. Knock wood.

[andyb]

I imagine they add a catcher to the 60 who has some major league experience now. Just seems a high cost to pay for 10 more days of Neil Walker unless Kingery is really hurt.

[zambonir]

I actually think Bethancourt might still be in Allentown? He's not on the website but I'm not sure the non-roster website and the 60-man has ever truly matched.

[andyb]

Correct me if I am wrong, but beyond Tommy Milone I think the Braves did nothing. If Cole Hamels does not come back for them they look really weak in the starting rotation. Not that we are strong, but we probably are better than the Braves and that could tax their bullpen in September.

[zambonir]

yup I think that's correct. Too bad we don't play them again, could use the opportunity, and also it'd be fun to face Cole if he does get back (and possibly not fun for him).